DM Meleager's Skull & Shackles

Game Master Patrickthekid

Arkhan realizes his internship as a shamanism Apprentice allowed him to endure his tiring work assignment
Rushing back above deck, the Druid simply states,
Big rats. Size of a rowboat! Better bring every wheel of cheese on board!

Mambo puts on her armor and shield and clutches her small dagger. She runs through the mental list of ingredients needed for rat stew. She drops a wheel of cheese on Arkhan's head when they arrive at the bilges.

"He rarely grants it, but it couldn't hurt. An offering of a drop of your blood should help."

Grok looked back at the weapons section... then nodded. "I'll be busy till then." With that, she closed the doors behind them.

Reknar gets to act first! The map is below.

Here.

Unfortunately I am unable to view the map, but in any case:

”This is easy if we do it by the numbers, ladies and gents” - Reknar spoke up, longspear at the ready - ”These are only rats - if they don’t come to us, we pepper them from afar. If they do, we make them pay for it” - he added, standing next to the others - ”So let’s give them hell!”

Starting Inspire Courage: Affected allies receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

Strategy for Reknar this round is standing next to his allies, taking advantage of the reach from the longspear to use AoO against the first rat which approaches.

AoO in case: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 = 22
Damage if it hits: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13

The first rat that tries to approach gets completely skewered by the thrust of the longspear. It now floats lifelessly along the surface water. The other rats swarm the party in order to get revenge on their fallen foe.

The rats get their vengeance on their fallen foe, with each one tearing into each on his legs. The other rats have no such luck snapping at the legs of Djir, Cnut and Mama Mambo.

Reknar takes 5 damage and needs to make 2 Fort saves. The rest of the party is up!

Looks like the map is set to private, so please adjust as needed. Flanks preferred if possible.

Chisomo advances into the rats' midst, her three-section-staff whirling with deadly speed as she tries to catch the rats midleap!

Now with Inspire Courage
Flurry: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20
Bludgeoning: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8
Flurry: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13
Bludgeoning: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12

Chisomo, aren’t you forgetting Reknar’s Inspire Courage? +1/+1 ;}

DM Meleager, Reknar’s AC now that we have recovered our gear should be 16. In any case if you rule the rats hit him:

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

That has been fixed now. You should have access to the map. Actually, yes. Reknar has all of his gear now, so neither rat bite actually hit. No damage.

One rat's skull is crushed under the bearing strike of the staff. The other rat just barely sidestepped the other strike. The strike grazed its fur, but no damage was done to it.

Djir squeezes back beside Pai Song, just out of reach of the rat in front of him and discharges his crossbow at point blank range (as Cevanne on his shoulder offers him divine guidance)...

I can see the map, but cannot edit to show my movement. Edit access would probably be a good idea DM Meleager.
5' step back into the partial space beside Pai Song (I figure I can get away with it being small)
Cevanne standard - cast guidance on Djir
Djir standard - shoot rat.

To Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9
+3 dex +1 small +1 guidance +1 inspire courage
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
+1 inspire courage

That has been changed too.

The crossbow bolt hits the wall right next to the rat instead of its intended target.

As they approach the bilges, Cnut allows the change to take hold, his arms popping and crackling as they transform into claws, but even more horrifying is the way his jaw distends and his nose lengthens nto an ursine snout.

Cnut looks down at the rat that tried to bite him. "Big mistake, little one." he manages to growl out, through a mouthful of ursine teeth. Then he strikes down with his own teeth and claws.

Attack, bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Attack, claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Attack, claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

I'm guessing the bite misses. Darned low to the ground vermin. If the first claw kills it, I'll try to reach ovver and kill the one in front of Djir with the second claw, GM permitting.

Suddenly another copy of Mambo appears right besides her and they swing around in a circle a couple of time. The true Mambo touches Chisomo and her mind skews at odd angles. Chisomo suddenly understands a bit of war craft that had eluded her before but it also segments her mind blocking other parts of it.

Move: Copy cat as per mirror image but only one image. Standard, use Visions of Madness on Chisomo, for 3 rounds have a +1 untyped bonus to attack but a -1 penalty to saves and skills.

The 1/2 orc opens his mouth to discuss why cheese don't make good hats, but he decides to follow along back to the stinking bilges.

If any rats do make it up the stairs, the Druid readies to rain down on it!
Readied Action Storm Burst (Sp): As a standard action, 30', inspired: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 = 151d6 ⇒ 2 nonlethal plus –2 penalty on attack rolls for 1 round. 7/7

@Cnut. I will accept that. You had two that were within reach.

One of the rats reflexively turned on its side to avoid the incoming bite attack. It thought it was safe from danger, only to have its side torn to the bone by the following claw slash. The rat next to it tried to avenge its fallen foe... only to be rend asunder itself by a claw attack from the other hand.

One of the two remaining rats looked in shock at the ferocity of the barbarian and was to late to a avoid the bolt of electricity that coursed through its body. It looked a bit singed but it remained standing.

Pai Song's player will be ready to post soon so I will wait until then before moving to the rats' turns.

Och, i hate rats. Let them eat a rainbow!
Pai Song walks forward and unleashes the power of the rainbow on the rats.
Color Spray will save DC 13 on both rats

Round 2

Reknar can act once more.

”Yep - that is nicely done” - Reknar nods in appreciation of the rainbow like spell, tossing his longspear aside, drawing his morningstar and swinging hard at one of the rats still standing.

Morningstar 2h: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16
Damage if it hits: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

Keeping Inspire Courage up!

One more rat is left twitching with a large laceration on its chest before it goes lifeless.

And then there was just one rat remaining. Despite the massive numbers disadvantage, it hoped to have one last shot at a bite, going after Reknar once more.

Bite, Reknar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

But it fared even worse than the previous attempt.

Everyone else can act now.

Pai Songs hair switch from floating casually around her to something like standing up and crackling with energy as she looks from Reknar to the apparently unimpressed rats.

Mmrmmmmmmmpfff. If not this way, then i have another way...
She stretches her hand to touch the last rat, murmuring something...
ShanDian zhong ni!

Shocking Grasp: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 142d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 = 12

...and a strong current of electric energy unloads itself from her hand and around her.

The rat thought dodging the spark of electricity would be as easy as averting the gaze of the Color Spray. It thought wrong. The spark combined with the water caused the monster to fry. It wasn't long before it was nothing but a charred piece of meat.

Combat Over!

There is nothing but silence in the bilge as all threats seemed to have been neutralized.

Everyone please give me a Perception check.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 12
1 rank +3trained +1 wis +2 racial+1 guidance (from Cevanne)

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

There you go. Anyone wants some fried meat?
She looks disgustedly at the rat, then around in the water.

Mambo takes up Pai on her offer and begins to gather the filthy rat corpses.

Mambo takes up Pai on her offer and begins to gather the filthy rat corpses.

"Hey! That's cannibalism or something. I brought you a perfectly good bucket of beetles to make roast beetles!"

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Arkhan walks down the steps into the bilges.
Red, yellow and orange peppers with rat.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

”So… The option is either fried bilges rat, or beetles huh?” - Reknar chuckled - ”Fair enough” - he added, looking over the small area to make sure no more rats are hiding.

”And well done all” - he finished with a gruff compliment - ”That was as clean as could be expected”

Djir uses his dagger to dig his crossbow bolt out of the hull for re-use.

Mambo nods enthusiastically at Djir and gives him a toothy too wide smile, "Good eating tonight!"

Ugh, rats or beetles? How about some fish? We're in the middle of the damned ocean, there must be lots of fish, right? Let's get some fish. Should be possible somehow!
Clearly Pai Song is not pleased about the others taking her offer seriously.

Perception, Cnut: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Only Chisomo manages to find something hidden under the water: a pouch when lifted felt heavy to the touch. Opening it revealed 21 gp!

Other than that you're free to come up to the deck now.

Ugh, rats or beetles? How about some fish? We're in the middle of the damned ocean, there must be lots of fish, right? Let's get some fish. Should be possible somehow!

Clearly Pai Song is not pleased about the others taking her offer seriously.

"Roast beetles like mama used to make?!? Ya don't know what's good! Ya roll them in the spice dredge, that seals the holes, and then ya pops them in the oven. They come out all crispy and spicy on the outside and sweet and juicy in the middle! Yum, yum, yum!"

@GM Meleager, I presume that we need to resume our day jobs (check for which we've made already. Unless there's something else special today, are we moving on to the night activities?

The party emerged from the bilge victorious and without any signs of damage done to any of them. Some of your crewmates look impressed with the short work that was done in clearing the rat infestation. Plugg however seems unimpressed while Scourge seemed almost disappointed at the result.

[biger]Bloody Hour[/bigger]

The fight did little to shorten the day, but eventually the sun began to set as Plugg ordered everyone to stand in place to deliver today's punishment. This time, Scourge was happy to report his findings, holding the rope as evidence. "Sea wench here couldn't even handle a few piles of rope. She was too busy lollygagging with red over there to be useful."

Sandara scoffed as she protested. "That's not true, Plugg! I was..."

"That's Mister Plugg, girl!"

The redhead bit her tongue to try and keep her voice more respectable. "With all due respect sir, I was helping Stitchman Quarne heal up Jack. Thankfully he should be okay, and the landlubbers did clear up the dire rats."

Plugg narrowed his eyes as if in thought. "That may be true... but I don't intend to play favorites around here. And the help in the bilge does not excuse poor work. For that, both of you will receive three lashes."

Strong hands hold down Pai Song and Sandara and escorted them both towards the main mast. Their shirts are rolled over to expose their back before Scourge gleefully delivered his punishments. Sandara's face shoots at Scourge with anger but does not resist.

Whip strikes, Pai Song: 3d20 + 5 ⇒ (6, 15, 13) + 5 = 39

Damage: 3d3 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) + 6 = 14

Whip strikes, Sandara: 3d20 + 5 ⇒ (5, 19, 8) + 5 = 37

Damage: 3d3 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3) + 6 = 13

Pai Song is down to 4 hp and is unconscious

Scourge applied the whip with particular force. The sorcerer passes out by the second strike, yet that wasn't enough to sate the boatswain's pleasure as he hit the last strike regardless. The cleric's face is full of defiance as she is only slightly less fortunate. Sandara at least is able to endure the lashes with eyes open. When he's done with her, Scourge unties her bounds before he whispers something into her ear.

Sandara growled as she dragged the unconscious sorcerer down the stairs.

You guys can now perform your night actions!

Arkhan watches with disinterest,, as Mister Plugg bullied and b$*&~ed.

Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

The Druid just asking Rull for a targeted lightning strike.

Perception check posted in Discussion as the boards are being a pain...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

@DM Meleager: Reknar’s plan for the night is to meet up with Sandara, to check on both her and Pai Song, and inquire if there is any way he can assist with recovering from the lashes. And also probably some witty remark about what he just heard :D Just wondering if that is possible, and if I need to roll something. If not, or if both things can be done, then probably he will be Performing for the crew.

That's fine. Don't forget to handle your rum rations @all.

Reknar'ss performance would once again be met with great acclaim. Considering how well the meal has been received (regardless of what was actually in it), cheers were handed over to the goblin as well. Afterwards, Reknar can find Sandara channelling to bring the two up to better conditions.

Channel energy: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

Both of them would be restored to full health as she smiled down on Pai. "Don't mind ol' Scourge. He wouldn't last nearly as longer under the whip," she smiled.

Sorry, forgot the grog Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

”I overheard what he told you” - Reknar commented - ”Who would ever deny such a charming man?” - he laughed and winked.

”Seriously though, I was coming down here to help, but I guess my help is not necessary” - the half-orc smiled.

Pai Song most likely spends the night unconscious on deck or in her hammock, should someone be so nice and drag her there.

Reknar would do that Pai, but after the channel, you are probably back up, right?

[dice=Sorry, forgot the grog Fort]d20+4

”I overheard what he told you” - Reknar commented - ”Who would ever deny such a charming man?” - he laughed and winked.

”Seriously though, I was coming down here to help, but I guess my help is not necessary” - the half-orc smiled.

Sandara gave out an easy smile at the joke. "And who could resist that personality? I could sure use a sadist in bed," she chucked.

When the half-orc replied what he heard, Sandara scrunched up as she winced. "What can I say? I have high standards with relationship." She then decided to come clean. "It happened on my first day. Scourge offered to go light on me for... favors. Said Aretta had the same privileges," she shuddered. "I slapped him and blew him off. The very next morning he send his gang on me and left me knocked out. After that no one really wanted to talk to me. Not everyone's willing to side against the boatswain. 'Cept maybe Rosie but she's nuts," she smirked.

"Anyways, ye seem nice and all, but I wasn't sure if you'd risk the wrath of Scourge and Plugg. That takes bravery, but I saw that with both you and Chisomo."

Cnut ducks into the hold belowdecks to check on Chisomo and Sandara. He nods to Reknar then turns to Sandara "I'm much better at taking people apart than putting them back together, but if there's anything I can do, I'm here to help." he says.

If nothing else, he'll carry Pai to a hammock. He does have +1 to Heal, so he can help if he can take 20, I guess.

Djir's action for this evening are a bit dependent; he want to borrow Mama Mambo's rum ration (the one she's been using sleight of hand to get rid of...).

At dinner, before the rum ration, he siddles up to Rosie and hands over her fiddle. He tells her "Here's yer fiddle, but there's a price. First, Don't get into it with Fishguts Kroop again. Grok says she'll smash it flat if ye does... and damned if I know where you could find another fiddle sized for a halfling. Second, a favor for a favor, until the end, right Rosie?"

After dinner, Djir is not fatigued tonight, and is thus up for the party. He swigs his rum ration like a proper pirate-rat should...

Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 20 vs dc 5
+2 con +1 Trait +1 guidance (from Cevanne)

Fatigue Hours: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Cha Bonus: 1d4 ⇒ 3

and then goes looking for Mama Mambo. Rather than let her find a hidden spot to throw her rum overboard, he goes with her for a whispered conversation. "Hsst. Mama, I know you don't drink your rum. If you don't want it, can I have it, I have a plan..."

Stealth Check: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 1 = 23 to find a private spot with Mama Mambo...
1 rank +3 trained+3 dex +4 size+1 guidance (from Cevanne)

It's Pai who received the beating, but the two have been healed up. Pai, if you want to pretend to be unconscious to avoid the rum ration I'll need a Stealth check out of you.

Cnut

"We'll be fine. I've got Bess at me call, remember?" She grinned. "So how'd the fight go down there?"

Djir

Rosie's mouth is open in delightful surprise. "Well f++@ me! You actually did it!" Rosie's mood changed when the ratfolk mentioned the conditions. "Fine," she groaned as she rolled her eyes. "He's lucky gob girl over there's killing it with the meals. As for the favor... I can tell ya a secret."

She pointed to a toned tanned man with a bandana currently playing the knife game with his own hand.

"That's Crimson Cogward over there. Weird bastard volunteered to this ship, but he ain't with Scourge. Heard he likes dark tales and s@%#. He keeps to himself, but I bet someone with a silver tongue or a tough brute might win him over.

Rosie is now Helpful.

Rum DC 5, Endurance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Arkhan takes his rum ration, tosses it back, and looks for the bartender on board.
Got anything stronger? This tastes like pissed in, watered down piss.

Mambo meets Djir that evening and gives him her rum ration along with a pouch of smoked beetles, seasoned with salt and cheyanne pepper. She pats his head ruffling his fur, "Of course dearie."

Mambo overhears Rosie talking about Cogward and goes over to the man giving him a wry grin. She commands the man, "Hey! You're on Mama Mambo's side now! Mambo has lots of friends and is big damn pirate now! Mambo will lead you to lots of sparkly bitz! Take them from peoples that don't need and don't share!"

Diplo, enhanced diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25

Djir meanwhile, having publicly drunk his own rum ration, has acquired a spare, and is off to try to make a new friend...

Specifically, he's bribing the unnamed perpetually drunk woman swabber, with Mama Mambo's extra rum ration. I figure if she's "perpetually drunk", she probably likes the sauce some... This is an influence action, using Bluff

"Here lass, have a bit more sauce. It's good for what ails ya!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 23 + possible bonus from bribery...
1 rank +3trained +1 Cha +1 guidance +1 extra cha from Rum!

Mambo meets Djir that evening and gives him her rum ration along with a pouch of smoked beetles, seasoned with salt and cheyanne pepper. She pats his head ruffling his fur, "Of course dearie."

...

"Ooh, roast beetles, roast beetles! Thank you!", nom nom nom... Mama Mambo's beetles aren't quite as good as mama's but they're still real good. So no, he's not offering to share, even (especially) with friends who likely don't want any anyways...

It's Pai who received the beating, but the two have been healed up. Pai, if you want to pretend to be unconscious to avoid the rum ration I'll need a Stealth check out of you.

Cnut

"We'll be fine. I've got Bess at me call, remember?" She grinned. "So how'd the fight go down there?"

"We'll be having cooked rat for dinner for a while, that's how it went. Should I get plates for you two lovely ladies?" he asks, glancing towards Pai.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Scourge is weaker than I knew.

"A time will come for reckonings. Patience and stillness can lead to triumph."

Not quite certain what else is useful to do at the moment. I can aid with spooky stories if someone wants to try to influence Cogward? If not I'll just rest.